2022 FIFA World Cup Team Previews: Denmark
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away from kicking off in Qatar. Over the next 32 days, I will be previewing each team that will be taking part in the world’s most-watched event. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Denmark.
The story of Denmark’s semifinal run at the 2020 European Championships was overlooked by the tragic incident surrounding Christian Eriksen, when he collapsed on the field and needed serious medical attention. However, he is back and so is “The Red and Whites” with the hope of advancing past the Round of 16 where they bowed out in 2018. To get into the 2022 World Cup, Denmark won their qualifying group winning nine matches and losing just one. Denmark is currently the No. 10 ranked team in the FIFA men’s rankings and is drawn with the defending World Cup champions in Group D.
World Cup Appearances
Through the first 12 World Cups, Denmark failed to qualify for any of them. The first time we saw “The Red and Whites” compete in a World Cup was in 1986 in Mexico before missing out on the next two. They then made two consecutive appearances in 1998 and 2002 but have alternated between making it and missing out since then — until the 2022 World Cup which will be their second straight and sixth overall.
Best Finish at a World Cup
In three of their five prior World Cup appearances, Denmark went out in the Round of 16. They also went out once in the group stage in 2010, but in 1998 “The Red and Whites” made it to the quarterfinal. After finishing second in their group behind host nation France, Denmark beat Nigeria 4-1 in the Round of 16 before losing to Brazil 3-2 in the quarterfinals despite taking the lead two minutes in.
Key players
Denmark has a strong team with solid players in all areas of the field led by captain and center-back Simon Kjær. Kjær has played 121 matches for “The Red and Whites” and is eight caps away from tying the great Peter Schmeichel as the most-capped player in Danish football history. Schmeichel’s son Kasper has been a star in goal since helping Leicester City win an incredible Premier League title in 2015-16. In qualifying, Kasper Schmeichel allowed just three goals and has started 11 of 13 Ligue 1 matches for Nice this season, conceding 14 goals.
The aforementioned Eriksen is the heart of this team. After missing most of the 2020 Euros and 2021 season due to heart issues, he has found his form with five goals for Manchester United this season. Eriksen is the leading goalscorer on the current Denmark team with 39 goals in 117 appearances. The next closest are forwards Kasper Dolberg with 11 and Martin Braithwaite with 10.
Manager
Kasper Hjulmand was set to become the manager of “The Red and Whites” following the 2020 Euros, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was pushed back to 2021. Hjulmand ended up leading Denmark to the semifinals where they lost 2-1 to England in extra time. Before taking over “The Red and Whites,” he managed FC Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga.
Biggest Group Game – vs. France on Nov. 26
Four years ago at the 2018 World Cup, Denmark, France and Australia were all drawn into the same group just like they are in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2018, Denmark drew 0-0 with France but needed a win to top the group. “The Red and Whites” now have a second chance at beating the French which will be necessary to win Group D.
Prediction
While I can see Denmark beating France and winning the group, my gut feeling says France will find a way to finish atop Group D. This would mean that Denmark would be second and unfortunately draw Argentina in the Round of 16. In the Argentina preview, I predicted that they will win the entire 2022 FIFA World Cup which would mean “The Red and Whites” will be going out once again in the Round of 16.
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